These chapter dealing with the darker sides of power can be challenging to write. Believe me when I say I cringe sometimes too. But this moment is important for character development. Sometimes we are who we are based on where we grow up. It's up to us to accept it and grow for the better or submit to the darkness. How is this going to affect the girls in the long run?
TYLER“Tyler, yes. yes!” “I need you to…” I said, grabbing a fistful of her hair, her screams echoed in the room. “...be quiet.”Mirabella muffled her screams with her arm as she used the other to anchor herself on the couch. Her voice, even muffled, was irritating to my soul. My hands gripped her waist tightly as I pounded her from behind, trying to get as deep as possible, wishing she was someone else. Someone like…Mila.The image of Mila flashed in my mind, her confident stance, the way her dress clung to every curve of her body, and the way she carried herself at the party. No one had ever turned me down or turned me upside before. It was… thrilling.“Fuck, Mila.”“Its…Mirabel–”I pushed her back down to muffled her face against the pillow. She let out another small sound, but it only served as background noise. I should have been present, but I wasn’t. Every part of me was thinking about Mila. The way she disappeared that night still gnawed at me. I had followed the scent of her
GABEI stood at the window, gazing out over the city, nursing a glass of bourbon as if it could wash away the chaos swirling in my mind. The only thing people could talk about, the day after the event, was Arianna’s speech and Mila’s little fashion stunt–both a PR dream and nightmare, all wrapped into one. My mom nearly had a heart-attack when she saw the tabloids. But that wasn’t the thing that kept me awake at night. No, there was something far more crazy lodged in my mindI took another sip of bourbon, the burn doing little to numb the memory. The moment replayed in my head with haunting clarity. It all started with the necklace.>>>>>Mila’s necklace, glittering on the floor like a beacon. I shouldn’t have picked it up but I did, and that’s when I caught her scent. Sweet. Alluring. It wrapped around me like a siren's call, tugging at something deep inside. I tried to shake it off, but it lingered, seeping into my senses, refusing to let go.“What is that, Spencer?” I asked, half-ho
GABETyler’s words cut through the tension in the room like a knife. My mom’s head whipped around, her eyes narrowing at him. “Excuse me?” she hissed.“No one is going to touch Mila,” Tyler repeated, his voice firm, leaving no room for argument. He uncrossed his arms, pushing off the wall and stepping closer to the cent of the room. His casual demeanor was gone, replaced by something unreadable.My mom blinked, clearly taken aback. She wasn’t used to being challenged by anyone but my dad. “And why, exactly, do you think you have a say in this?” she demanded. “You’re the reason we’re in this predicament.”Tyler flinched but stayed his ground. “Because, as much as you think she’s a problem, she’s actually an asset.”My dad, who had been watching Tyler with a steely gaze, finally spoke up. “Explain yourself, Tyler. How can she be an asset?”“The whole event wasn’t a total bust. Because of her, we got a lucrative opportunity to work with Frances Deveaux. His partnership could possibly be
ARI“Gabe...”Hands explored the contours of my body, already void of clothes, which I was grateful for. I needed to feel every muscle of his body against mine. I could feel the heat radiating off of him, making me wet just from his touch. “...will you take care of my father for me?” I asked between moans as his kisses moved down my neck. “Keep him from trying to hurt me?”“I will protect you,” he said, his breath hot against my skin as he whispered those words. “I won’t let him hurt you.”He pressed my naked body up against the cool wall, a stark contrast to the fiery path his fingers left as they moved down my body. He pulled me into a passionate kiss and I could taste the bourbon he had right before we started this. I could feel his hard cock pressing against my thigh, and I reached down to stroke it. He moaned into my mouth and slid his hand up my thighs, spreading my lips for his invasion. His finger stroked my throbbing clit and I pretty much exploded with pleasure. “Fuck, I ne
MILAI walked into a sleek, modern conference room where Frances Deveaux sat, his assistant perched beside him with a tablet in hand. I forced a confident smile, though my stomach churned with nerves and determination. Amidst the revenge plot, this was a big deal and I’ve been studying him since living in France. He was the power player I needed to shake up both families.“Miss Emilia,” Frances greeted with a smooth voice, gesturing toward the chair across from him. “Thank you for coming.”“Oh, I should be thanking you for wanting to meet me,” I replied, taking my seat. “This is truly an honor.”His assistant, a sharp-looking woman with dark hair pulled into a tight bun, barely glanced up from her tablet.“I’ve been following your recent work,” Frances said, leaning back in his chair, “and I must say, you have a unique ability to create buzz. It’s not easy to stay relevant in this city, and to do it coming from across seas.”“Well, I try to make waves where I can,” I said, keeping my t
MILANot long after leaving Tyler, I found myself sitting in a hotel dining room, enjoying the cool breeze coming from an opened window. It was peaceful–until Laura stormed in, dressed head to toe in black tactical gear, dragging a bag that looked like it had bricks inside. “Excuse me. Sorry,” she muttered, navigating her way to my table with all the grace of a wrecking ball, knocking over chairs and bumping into patrons. I briefly considered pretending I didn’t know her, but she waved enthusiastically at me from halfway across the room.I sighed. “Dear Goddess.”She finally reached my table and dropped the bag with a thud so loud it could’ve woken the dead. Every head in the room turned to stare.“What the hell, Laura?” I hissed, trying to ignore the curious stares from the other patrons. “I told you not to come. And what are you wearing? Take that off before someone calls security.”Laura tugged at the straps of her night-vision goggles and yanked off her skull cap, her hair springi
MILAWithout hesitation, Rayne released her pheromones, a sweet scent floating in the air like a gentle breeze on a hot day. It was the kind of scent that could make even the meanest of men fall to their knees. Normally, we’d have better control over this little trick, but ever since we returned, things have been a bit… unpredictable.“Don’t worry. It was just enough to tease,” Rayne purred, completely unconcerned. “Look at him now.”The clerk’s nose twitched, sniffing the air as if he’d caught a whiff of the most intoxicating aroma. Suddenly his posture wasn’t as stiff, his gaze softened, his attention subtly drawn to me, as if an invisible force was pulling him close.“See, I served him up on a silver platter,” Rayne bragged, lounging in my mind like a cat basking in the sun. “You’re welcome.”The clerk blinked, his eyes widening as if he was seeing me for the first time. “Wow… Your eyes… They’re beautiful.”“Oh, thanks,” I smiled, knowing he was talking about Rayne’s white irises. “
MILAI stood near the end of the hall, looking at the identical doors before us. I tried sensing which room Arianna was in but the scent in the air was vaguely familiar. “I’m back.” Laura said, leaning against the wall.“That was fast.” I said, suspiciously. I made her take her bag of instruments to her car. Watching her trudge it out of the dining room made me think it was going to take her longer.“I didn’t want to miss the fun, so I stash it in one of those artsy bushes.” I couldn’t hide my surprise. “Don’t worry, it’s inconspicuous.”“I’m just going to assume you know what that word means. And why did you bring the goggles, Laura?” I asked, eyeing the gear on her head.“You never know when you might need them,” she replied, unbothered.“We are werewolves, Laura,” I reminded her. “We can see in the dark.”“True, but it completes the outfit,” Laura said with a shrug.Before I could argue, one of the doors opened, and we instinctively ducked around the corner. A woman and a man stumb
MILAWhat the hell was going on? “Tyler, are you serious?” I asked, standing up from my chair.“Well then, if I knew this would give you a rise I would’ve said this earlier.”I rounded the desk, hitting him on the shoulder. “I’m serious, Tyler. What…why?”Tyler ducked away from my assault. “Turns out my dear mom has her claws in a lot more than I realized.”I took a slow breath. “Explain. Now.”He tossed a small, leather-bound notebook onto my desk. “Found it in my dad’s things. Before my mother’s little henchmen ransacked it. Notes, receipts, and transfers. He was funding something.”I flipped the notebook open and scanned the scribbles. Chemical formulas. Shipment records. Personal names and codes.“My mother’s company,” he said quietly. “She ran a private testing site in Alpha Frank’s territory. It was shut down quietly years ago after several test subjects reported… losing their wolves. Not just muted bonds. Total severance from the Goddess. Like the soul inside them was gone.”“
MILAI burst into MoonCrest pack hospital, sniffing out Alex until I found him.“Stick me with whatever needles you have to,” I yelled the moment I walked into his office. “I need to find out if that monster is my dad or not?”“Um, Mila. I’m with a patient.”I froze, finally noticing the young man slumped over in the chair across from Alex. I stopped myself from making a face at his appearance. He looked pale, lips tinged blue, and sweat clung to his brow. His eyes were the worst–sullen and dull. I smelled his wolf but it was faint and nearly silent.“Oh,” I muttered, stepping back. “Sorry.”Alex stood, placing a firm hand on the man’s shoulder. “It’s okay. Kevin, I’ll be back in a few minutes. Try to breathe through it. The serum needs time to work.”Kevin didn’t answer. His eyes were vacant like whatever did this sucked the life from them. Alex led me into the hallway and into another room that was empty.“Mila,” he said, “you really know how to make an entrance.”“Can you blame me
ARII still heard the muffled chaos outside the bathroom door, but it was nothing compared to my heartbeat thudding wildly against my ribs.I gripped the sink, trying to steady my breathing. In. Out. Calm. Stay calm.But I couldn’t.My father had looked at me like I was the enemy. Like I betrayed him. Me, the only one who actually stood by him. He thought I set him up.And knowing him… he wouldn’t hesitate to eliminate a loose end. He’d done it before. He’ll do it again.“I didn’t do this,” I whispered to my reflection. “I didn’t. I didn’t.”But my reflection didn’t argue. It just stared. Wild-eyed. Mascara bleeding. Lipstick smudged at the corner like a smear of blood. That’s when it hit me.The video.That moment–his office, his voice, the clarity of it. There were no cameras in that room. So how the hell had they–I froze. My mind rewound. Frame by frame. Frank’s body. The warehouse. The perfect angle. The same angle. Places I had been. I was bugged. That was the only explanation,
MILAThe room stilled.“What is this?” Gregory barked, looking around the room. I noticed how he subtly narrowed his eyes at Emily.Good. I wanted him to think it was her. For now. Murmurs filled the room as everyone’s attention was glued to the screen. It flickered again. Then came the audio–his voice. Clear. Calm. Cold.And damning.“The boat needed to go. Collateral damage is part of the price when you want to clean house. And the girl? She’s just like her parents–too dangerous to be left alive.”Silence swallowed the room. Then chaos.“That doesn’t prove anything,” Gregory shouted. “That could be anybody.”But the screen answered him. It split into two windows: one showed Gregory pacing in a private study, the second displayed spreadsheets, maps, and message logs–each one marked with timestamps and code names.The proof was overwhelming.Someone screamed. A councilman stood. Arianna’s mouth dropped open. Emily turned toward Gregory, the smile never leaving her face, even as she wi
MILAFrances and his assistant poured over the portfolio like it was a rare manuscript. I shifted in my seat, resisting the urge to glance at my watch again. There was too much riding on today–too much to still do.Frances finally looked up, his eyes twinkling behind those sleek, gold-framed glasses. “This is truly something special,” he said, tapping the edge of the page. “And the technology?”I straightened a bit, proud. “Smart fabric. Reactive threads that shift color based on light exposure and body temperature. The effect is subtle, elegant—like your vintage diamond collection. Sophisticated, but with presence.”Across the table, Emily’s jaw tensed. I caught the flicker of annoyance in her eyes and smiled, just a little.Frances chuckled. “Indeed, Mademoiselle. You’ve captured the season in a way that feels... alive.” He flipped another page, his gaze sharp but admiring. “I must admit, I’m surprised. After everything that’s happened lately, I expected something more... reserved.”
MILAThere was no gentle buildup this time. No teasing smile. No calculated flirtation. Gabe kissed me like he meant to ruin me–with a hunger that stole the air from my lungs. One hand tangled in my hair, tugging just enough to make my body jolt with need. I gasped, but he swallowed the sound, deepening the kiss, his tongue sliding against mine in a battle I was already losing.He lifted me effortlessly from the chair, setting me down on the desk as if he’d been waiting to do it since the moment he walked in. His body pressed against mine, all muscle and heat and quiet dominance.“See?” he murmured against my lips, voice dark and full of promise. “You like it when I take control. Don’t you?”And damn him–I did. My body answered before my mouth ever could, arching into him, fingers clawing at his shirt to pull him closer.“Answer me, Mila.”“I… do,” I breathed, the words escaping like a confession.Those words cracked something open in him. He kissed me again–deeper, rougher–his hands
MILATyler was, somehow, unexpectedly my hero.Not only did he make sure the publication printed the correct draft of the Aliz magazine–the one with my real Summer collection and not the tragic sabotage Lena tried to pass off–but he also made sure Lena got demoted. Now she was stuck shooting staged waterfalls and hotel breakfast buffets for the travel catalogue division. Honestly? Served her right for trying to cross me.Apparently, I had Amira to thank for that little coup.I still didn’t know how I felt about her. The woman switched sides like it was Fashion Week and loyalty was just another trend. But one thing I did know? She was in love with Tyler. Hopelessly, painfully in love. That might’ve made her dangerous–but it also gave me leverage. And I wasn’t above playing that card if I had to.“So… you think this will work?” Camila’s voice broke through my thoughts and I remembered what I was doing… or trying to do.“I don’t know,” I sighed, moving all the mockups for my fall collect
ARIThe diamond necklace with the crystal pendant glinted in the mirror, catching the light like it still mattered. Like it still meant something. Gabe had given it to me for a birthday present. Placed it around my neck himself. Told me I looked like someone no one would dare cross. It had to mean something, right? A gift that rare didn’t come without weight.So I wore it today–not for sentiment, but strategy.Let him see it. Let him remember. Let him regret.But he didn’t. He barely blinked. No hesitation, no flicker of guilt. Just another command over the phone and a condescending smirk on his lips.“Nothing a blow dryer can’t fix,” Gabe said, like I was already a mistake he was eager to forget.I could’ve slapped him. I should’ve. But I wouldn’t give him that satisfaction. It would’ve meant I still cared.I’d lose a hundred battles before I let him see me lose the war.When I stormed into my father’s office, he didn’t even glance up from his damned ritual–always washing his hands
GABEI barely heard the door open behind me before Arianna’s scent hit the air–a soft, artificial sweetness that never sat right. I didn’t turn around. I was on the phone, my voice quiet.“Just put on a suit. I need you to go over there and fix this. She doesn’t need to deal with this right now. So please handle it.”Arianna moved closer as I flushed the urinal and moved to the sink to wash my hands.“You know the symbols on the outside of the door are there for a reason,” I said, not glancing at her.“Were you talking about Mila just now?” she asked, arms crossing as she leaned against the door. I ignored her and walked towards the office. It's been a busy couple of days with the move back to the Mora company. “You’re really moving on that fast, huh?” Arianna asked, following me. “The ink on the divorce papers is still wet.”“Nothing a blow dryer can’t fix,” I smiled, hoping to get rid of her, but the look on her face told me otherwise. “Arianna, don’t start.”Her lip curled. “Disg